The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)Chair, Kamau Njuguna has defended Keroche Breweries over accusation of non payment of taxes by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
"KRA should should lay out proper procedures that are friendly to local investor when demanding taxes," said Kamau adding that intimidation may discourage local investors. He was speaking on Tuesday at the the firm's premises during a fact-finding mission.
The local beer maker has been embroiled in a legal tussle with KRA which is demanding over one billion shillings of unpaid taxes .
Kamau's remarks were supported by the firms Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tabitha Karanja who said that her firm is operating within the legal framework in beer industry.
“Keroche Breweries has compiled with all regulations pertaining KRA taxes," said Karanja. She however called for more dialogue with KRA to resolve the standoff.
“We want KRA to listen to our views to avoid further losses at the firm," said Karanja. For his part the firm's operation manager Nicholas Kipchirchir said that the management has been working with the authority to end the legal row.
“We have allowed government to inspect the facilities and audit our books “, said Kipchirchir.